So, the majority of ActiveRain members claim that they are ‘just’ blogging for business; although for me, it goes much further, much deeper than that. In fact, the majority of us started out blogging, commenting and eventually, doing Active Rain Meet Ups and Gatherings. These ‘getting to know each other’ events are called ‘connecting’.

In March of 2007 I joined ActiveRain (Randy Prothero invited me!) and took a baby step forward in writing my first post ever. That post was in fact, the epitome of the start and then the depth of how an ActiveRain Blogger blooms. The larger reality is that that first post opened up more than just the idea of ‘blogging for business’ and writing about real estate.

Back when I started, there were about 19 or 20k members, so we ‘connected’ quickly. (Can you imagine what started as so small a real estate platform that went forward to having thousands upon thousands of members???) The ActiveRain staff welcomed all posts from Group themed blogs to real estate agents, loan officers, stagers, home inspectors and well, you name it and the real estate industry has it. The ActiveRain staff was and still is a HANDS ON Real Estate Industry Platform.

You see, REAL estate is ALL AROUND US. I write about real estate, the market, advertising and everything real estate related. I also write about our Hawaiian Islands history, the island sites, the businesses and everything around my neighborhood. That is the REALITY of REAL estate. When driving around to show properties to buyers and they ask me what is a HEIAU, or what great Italian Restaurant in Mililani would I suggest; or even the best Acupuncturist/ Massage Therapist ever is?

YES, we HAVE to know what is going on around in our neighborhoods in order to be the best Real Estate Local Specialist ever! To this day, I still get calls from posts I wrote back in 2007 and the first Newspaper story that became a repeat client 3x over !

I could never have progressed in the world of real estate blogging without ActiveRain and the help of the staff members and even the ‘founding fathers’ Jonathan Washburn and Matt Heaton who got involved with our members! I've met many members face to face when they came to Oahu to visit...too many to mention here but I've written about mostly every meeting.

I mostly give LOTS of credit to my mentor, Bob Stewart, for my blogging success. He ALWAYS called me back and there was never a stupid question in his eyes. He didn’t (and still doesn’t) judge people and instead, gives full attention and a listening ear to any member who needs his help. He then gives suggestions on how to approach the situation and solve the problem. If anyone can give a helping hand, it’s ….Bob Stewart. Without a hands on approach in helping members understand the world of real estate blogging, there would be no continuance of the ActiveRain as I know it. THANKS BOB!! (And...thanks Erin. With you by his side he's where he is today.... a happy guy! Well, you know what I mean!.....And Baby Chase will be here SOON!)

This time around we give thanks to Ben Kinney for stepping up and getting ActiveRain back to ACTIVERAIN. I will try and blog more and get back into being a productive member of this community

ActiveRain will always be….the PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORDS.

Happy Birthday to me

Happy Birthday to me

Happy Birthday WooHoo Sally

Happy 9th Birthday to me.

WOOHOO!

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P.S. The last week of February 2016, Bob Stewart, his wife Erin, my husband Gary and I…FINALLY got to meet. Erin had a work trip scheduled in Honolulu and of course they both scheduled a meet up for dinner. Both Gary and I were flattered that they invited us to dinner…..and that I finally met Bob and his wonderful, beautiful wife Erin. Here’s the post Bob wrote about “our story” and “Gramma Sally in Hawaii”:

Celeste"Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.